Field Guide to the North American Teenager

Norris’s field guide lists three types of drunk dial: lonely, angry, and weepy.

Drunkenly, Norris calls Eric, who’s with Marc-André on a date. Norris is curt and struggles to control his tone or remember his words. Eric tries to find out why Norris called when he’s never been much of a caller, but Norris unconvincingly tells Eric it was a pocket dial and hangs up.

Norris then calls his dad and calls him a deadbeat. Felix is amused that Norris has called him drunk. He asks if Norris is safe. Norris rants about his jock and cheerleader friends hating him after tonight. When Felix pushes for more information about Norris’s location, Norris tells Felix to focus on his new family. Norris hangs up.

A police officer pulls up to check if Norris is okay. Norris tries to get his thoughts under control, but he ends up cursing at the officer instead.

Norris’s field guide describes mouthing off to a white cop, not thinking, and alcohol-borne confidence.

Norris spends the night in the police holding room. He wishes his mom were there, and soon enough, she arrives to get him. Judith drives Norris home in tense, angry silence.